Joe Swash: ‘I’d go back in the jungle tomorrow’

Joe Swash is back in the jungle – although this time the lucky lad is reporting on the poor contestants from a swanky hotel. But, surprisingly, Joe reveals he wouldn’t mind slumming it in camp a second year running…

‘I’d go back in there tomorrow if they asked me to. Seriously, I loved it,’ he laughs. ‘I’m probably going to get a bit jealous of them. If I could join them, I would. But you know, I get to stay in a nice hotel this time, so it’s all cool. Will I feel guilty about the contestants when I’m lording it up at my nice hotel? Not. One. Bit. I’ve earned it. Having said that, it’ll be really nice go back and see the camp from a different perspective. It’ll bring back all the memories.’

Despite his plush digs, one thing Joe will miss is his long-term girlfriend Kara Tointon, who will be on the other side of the world.

‘Kara’s going to try to come out for a bit actually. But it depends if she can get time off from her rehearsals. I hope so. But if not, we’re doing panto together over Christmas – she’s Snow White, I’m Prince Charming – so we’ll be spending a good long time together then, so it’s OK. And you know what they say – absence makes the heart grow fonder!’

And by all accounts Joe might be too tired to entertain his missus if the hours are anything to go by…

‘I want to get out and be a tourist while I’m over there, but my working hours are quite long. I’ll have to do 3am to midday, daily. So just working out when I’m going to get some sleep will be the main thing. But apparently the jet lag helps loads. You can keep those odd hours if you don’t try to adjust to Aussie time. If you stay on British time, you’ll feel fine. That’s my new saying.’

Thankfully Joe won’t be alone in his reporting endeavours. And if he starts to drop off, he’ll have his co-host and former Gladiators presenter Caroline Flack to dig him in the ribs.

‘I’ve met Caroline before and she’s a lovely, beautiful girl. She’s going to be superb. I’m really pleased to be doing it with her as she’s energetic and she’s a real tomboy too, so she’s perfect for the role.’

Having been in the camp before, Joe is also looking forward to watching the tasks this time, as opposed to actually doing them (how could you forget Joe munching on a croc’s willy in the Bushtucker Trial).

‘To this day I still can’t believe I did that food trial. It was the last thing I wanted to do. I’ve no idea what this year’s celebs are in for, but ITV have had a whole year to think about the tasks, so it’s gonna be something horrible. I’d like to see them step-up the food tasks a little bit, make them even more grotesque. I dunno how – give me long enough and I’ll think of a way.’

Sounds like the contestants are in for a bumpy ride…

Life after the jungle...‘I’m doing panto in Bristol with Kara this year and I’m thrilled. I’m playing Prince Charming to her Snow White. It’s great for us to do something together, rather than be apart. And yeah, panto is cheesy, but it’s a British tradition. It’s something we’ve got that no other country has, and it gets you in the Christmas spirit.’

Who Joe would like in the jungle‘I’d love it if they got in Ray Winstone. He’s such a straight talker, and someone I’d love to act with in the future, that would blow my mind. Or Big Mo from EastEnders – Layla Morse. She’d be great, cos she tells it like it is too. I think those two would get on well.’

I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! starts next Sunday on ITV1 and ITV2